KOUQH CONVERSION. 107 



mixed, he marks along the entire length of the log the lines aa 

 and hh, which should follow as nearly as possible the outline of the 

 log, and be as nearly parallel to one another as the taper and shape 

 of the log will allow. This being done, he proceeds to hew with 

 an axe the two vertical faces. But to enable him to work quickly 

 and with accuracy, he begins by making at short intervals a num- 

 ber of guide cross-cuts «,?/, « , the lines forming the bottom 



of which are vertical, so that all he has to do afterwards is to 

 flitch off the portions between the cuts. It is always more con- 

 venient to stand upon the log while axing it, but not unfrequently 

 our Indian wood-cutters stand on the ground next to the face 

 which they are engaged in dressing. The remaining two faces 

 are dressed in the same way, after changing the position of the 

 log. 



VIII. — Rough timber is adzed with the aid of the eye alone, 

 the eight several faces, in order to diminish waste as much as possi- 

 ble, following closely the general outline of the log. 



IX. — In preparing sided timber the workmen, after fixing the 

 log firmly, must split it open along the vertical diameter of the 

 lower section. The split must then be extended along the length 

 of the log by constantly driving in a new wedge in front of the 

 one last inserted and gradually forcing them home. No little 

 skill is required to make the split follow more or less the same 

 diametral plane from the beginning. The two halves are then 

 dressed with the axe. 



X. — Tors of heartwood alone are dressed with the axe. No 

 guiding lines are traced, and the workman follows mainly the run 

 of the heartwood, of which he endeavours to leave as much as pos- 

 sible, even at the sacrifice of straightness and regularity of shape, 

 if the heartwood forms an irregular figure. 



XI. — Firewood naturally divides itself into three broad classes, 

 according as it consists of sections split from thick stuff' or of un- 

 split billets or of small branchwood and the small stuff obtained by 

 splitting up stumps and roots. These three classes should be sepa- 

 rated at once as the tree is cut up. The rounds and thick billets 

 from which the first class is obtained are taken off by sawing, and 

 in India are usually from 2 to 3 feet long. The rounds are stood 

 up on end, and a first split is. made with axes driven in at two or 

 three points along a diameter. When the split has been opened 

 enough, before the axe is drawn out, wedges are inserted, 2, 3, or 4, 

 according to the size and fissility of the round. These wedges are 

 then driven home. It is advisable to have two men to each round, 

 working opposite one another. If the halves thus obtained are too 



